Searching system, searching unit, searching method, displaying method for search results, terminal unit, inputting unit, and record medium

ABSTRACT

A searching system for searching contents that were broadcast, the searching system having an inputting unit, a searching unit, and a terminal unit is disclosed, wherein the inputting unit comprises a first storing means for storing information representing at least time at which contents were broadcast corresponding to a predetermined operation, and a first communicating means for transmitting the information representing time stored in the storing means to an external unit, wherein the searching unit comprises a second storing means for correlatively storing information representing contents and broadcast time thereof, and a searching means for searching information representing the contents stored in the second storing means corresponding to the information representing time, and wherein the terminal unit comprises a second communicating means for receiving the information representing time transmitted from the inputting unit through the first communicating means, a third communicating means for transmitting the information representing time received by the second communicating means and receiving search results transmitted from the searching unit, and a first displaying means for displaying the information representing time received by the second communicating means and the search results by the searching unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a searching system, a searching unit, asearching method, a displaying method for search results, a terminalunit, an inputting unit, and a record medium that allow information thatwas broadcast to be searched and properly obtained.

2. Description of the Related Art

A database system that allows data to be searched from a database storedin a computer system is known. The user obtains desired informationdirectly from the database system or using a terminal unit connectedthereto through a network. The user inputs a keyword that he thinks itis proper from the terminal unit. The database system searches thedatabase corresponding to the input keyword and provides the user withthe search results through the terminal unit. When the database systemhas provided the user with much information, the user can filter theinformation using another keyword.

Now, the case that the user searches music data from a database systemwill be considered. The user can know for example title information of aCD (Compact Disc) that contains his or her desired musical piece fromthe search results so as to purchase the CD. In this case, the musicdata is information about a musical piece as a unit of music. The musicdata is composed of for example a musical piece name, a performer name,an album name (namely, a music CD title), a released date, and a seller.The music data may contain audio data of a musical piece. In thedatabase system, additional information that is for example a performername, a title, an album name, and so forth is assigned as keywords ofmusic data to each musical piece.

For example, when the user likes a musical piece that was broadcast froma radio broadcasting station, he or she searches the musical piece fromsuch a music database. In this case, the user searches his or herfavorite musical piece using keywords corresponding to additionalinformation that was announced along with the musical piece.

In such a conventional music database system, unless the user inputs aproper keyword to the database system, he or she cannot obtain desiredresults. Thus, conventionally, when the user forgot additionalinformation that was announced along with the musical piece, he or shecannot obtain desired information.

There is a situation that the user always carries a terminal unit thatcan search a musical piece from a music database and he or she searchesa desired musical piece that was broadcast from a radio broadcastingstation with the terminal unit. In this case, if the user likes a musicthat he listened to only a last part thereof, he or she cannot obtainthe additional information of the musical piece. Thus, even if the userhas such a terminal unit, he or she cannot know a keyword that he or sheshould input.

Thus, even if a contents provider who sells musical pieces and CDsprovides listeners with a radio program, it does not directly contributeto sales of the musical pieces and CDs.

In the case of a digital broadcast, additional information may besuperimposed to music data that is broadcast. Thus, the user can obtainadditional information about a musical piece from digital data. However,in this case, the broadcasting station should create additional data foreach musical piece to be broadcast and superimpose the additional datato the musical piece. Thus, the cost on the broadcasting station sideincreases. In addition, the user side should prepare a receiving unitthat can extract additional information from digital data.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a searchingsystem, a searching unit, a searching method, a displaying method forsearch results, a terminal unit, an inputting unit, and a record mediumthat allow the user to search contents that were broadcast without needto know an accurate keyword.

A first aspect of the present invention is a searching system forsearching contents that were broadcast, the searching system having aninputting unit, a searching unit, and a terminal unit, wherein theinputting unit comprises a first storing means for storing informationrepresenting at least time at which contents were broadcastcorresponding to a predetermined operation, and a first communicatingmeans for transmitting the information representing time stored in thestoring means to an external unit, wherein the searching unit comprisesa second storing means for correlatively storing informationrepresenting contents and broadcast time thereof, and a searching meansfor searching information representing the contents stored in the secondstoring means corresponding to the information representing time, andwherein the terminal unit comprises a second communicating means forreceiving the information representing time transmitted from theinputting unit through the first communicating means, a thirdcommunicating means for transmitting the information representing timereceived by the second communicating means and receiving search resultstransmitted from the searching unit, and a first displaying means fordisplaying the information representing time received by the secondcommunicating means and the search results by the searching unit.

A second aspect of the present invention is a terminal unit for causingcontents that were broadcast to be searched, comprising a firstcommunicating means for receiving time information representingpredetermined time from an inputting unit and transmitting theinformation representing the predetermined time to an external unit, asecond communicating means for transmitting the information representingthe predetermined time received from the first communicating means to asearching unit and receiving search results from the searching unit, thesearching unit searching information representing contents from astoring means corresponding to the information representing thepredetermined time, the storing means correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof, and adisplaying means for displaying the information representing thepredetermined time received by the first communicating means and thesearch results of the searching unit.

A third aspect of the present invention is a terminal unit for causingcontents that were broadcast to be searched, comprising a first storingmeans for storing time information representing predetermined timecorresponding to a predetermined operation, a communicating means fortransmitting the information representing the predetermined time to asearching unit and receiving search results from the searching unit, thesearching unit searching information representing contents from a secondstoring means corresponding to the information representing thepredetermined time, the second storing means correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof, and adisplaying means for displaying the information representing thepredetermined time stored in the first storing means and the searchresults of the searching unit.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a searching unit forsearching contents that were broadcast, comprising a database forcorrelatively storing information representing contents and broadcasttime thereof, and a communication interface for receiving timeinformation representing predetermined time and identificationinformation of contents from an external unit, wherein the informationrepresenting the contents is searched corresponding to the received timeinformation representing the predetermined time and the receivedidentification information of the contents.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a searching method forsearching contents that were broadcast, comprising the steps of (a)storing information representing at least time at which contents werebroadcast corresponding to a predetermined operation of an inputtingunit to a first storing means, (b) transmitting the informationrepresenting time stored in the first storing means to an external unit,(c) causing a searching unit to search information representing contentsstored in a second storing means corresponding to the informationrepresenting time, (d) receiving the information representing timetransmitted from the inputting unit at the first communicating step (b),(e) transmitting the information representing time received at thesecond communicating step (d) and receiving search results transmittedfrom the searching unit, (f) displaying the information representingtime received at the second communicating step (d), and (g) displayingthe search results of the searching unit.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a searching method forsearching contents that were broadcast, comprising the steps of (a)receiving timing information representing predetermined time andidentification information of contents from an external unit, (b)searching the information representing the contents from a databasecorresponding to the received time information representing time and thereceived identification information of the contents, the databasecorrelatively storing the information representing the contents andbroadcast time thereof, and (c) transmitting search results searched atthe searching step (b) to the external unit.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is a displaying method forcausing a terminal unit to display search results of contents that werebroadcast, comprising the steps of (a) receiving time informationrepresenting predetermined time from an inputting unit, (b) transmittingthe information representing the predetermined time to an external unit,(c) transmitting the information representing the predetermined timereceived at the first communicating step (a) to a searching unit, thesearching unit searching information representing contents from adatabase corresponding to the information representing the predeterminedtime, the database correlatively storing the information representingthe contents and broadcast time thereof, (d) receiving search resultsfrom the searching unit, and (e) displaying the information representingthe predetermined time received at the first communicating step (a) andthe search results received at the fourth communicating step (d).

An eighth aspect of the present invention is a displaying method forcausing a terminal unit to display search results of contents that werebroadcast, comprising the steps of (a) storing time informationrepresenting predetermined time corresponding to a predeterminedoperation, (b) transmitting the information representing thepredetermined time stored at the storing step (a) to a searching unit,the searching unit searching information representing contents from adatabase corresponding to the information representing the predeterminedtime, the database correlatively storing the information representingthe contents and broadcast time thereof, (c) receiving search resultsfrom the searching unit, and (d) displaying the information representingthe predetermined time stored at the storing step (a) and the searchresults of the contents received at the second communication step (c).

A ninth aspect of the present invention is a record medium for recordinga control program that causes search results of contents to be displayedon a terminal unit, the control program causing the terminal unit toperform the steps of (a) receiving time information representingpredetermined time from an inputting unit, (b) transmitting theinformation representing the predetermined time to an external unit, (c)transmitting the information representing the predetermined time to asearching unit, the searching unit searching information representingcontents from a database corresponding to the information representingthe predetermined time, the database correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof, (d)receiving search results from the searching unit, and (e) displaying atleast the received search results.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a record medium for recordinga control program that causes search results of contents to be displayedon a terminal unit, the control program causing the terminal unit toperform the steps of (A) storing time information representingpredetermined time corresponding to a predetermined operation, (b)transmitting the information representing the predetermined time storedat the storing step (a) to a searching unit, the searching unitsearching information representing contents from a databasecorresponding to the information representing the predetermined time,the database correlatively storing the information representing thecontents and broadcast time thereof, (c) receiving search results fromthe searching unit, and (d) displaying at least the search results onthe terminal unit.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a record medium forrecording a control program that causes an inputting unit to inputinformation representing time to a researching unit, the control programcausing the inputting unit to perform the steps of (a) storing timeinformation representing predetermined time corresponding to user'soperation, (b) transmitting the time information representing thepredetermined time stored at the storing step (a) to an external unit,and (c) inputting the time information representing the predeterminedtime to a searching unit, the searching unit searching informationrepresenting contents from a database corresponding to the timeinformation representing the predetermined time at which contents werebroadcast, the database correlatively storing the informationrepresenting the contents and broadcast time thereof.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a record medium forrecording a control program that causes an inputting unit having acounter that operates with a predetermined clock signal and that inputsinformation representing time to a searching unit, the control programcausing the inputting unit to perform the steps of (a) storing a countvalue of the counter at predetermined time corresponding to user'soperation, (b) transmitting the count value stored at the storing step(a) to an external unit, and (c) inputting the information representingtime to the searching unit, the searching unit searching informationrepresenting contents from a database corresponding to the informationrepresenting time at which contents were broadcast, the databasecorrelatively storing the information representing the contents andbroadcast time thereof.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a counter thatoperates with a predetermined clock signal, a storing means for storinga count value of the counter at predetermined time corresponding touser's operation, a connecting portion for directly connecting the countvalue stored in the storing means to an external unit, and acommunicating means for transmitting the count value stored in thestoring means to the external unit through the connecting portion,wherein the information representing time is input to a searching unitthrough the external unit, the searching unit searching informationrepresenting contents from a database corresponding to the informationrepresenting time at which contents were broadcast, the databasecorrelatively storing the information representing the contents andbroadcast time thereof.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a counter thatoperates with a predetermined clock signal, a storing means for storinga count value of the counter at predetermined time corresponding touser's operation, a displaying means for displaying the count valuestored in the storing means, and a communicating means for transmittingthe count value stored in the storing means to an external unit, whereininformation representing time is input to a searching unit, thesearching unit searching information representing contents from adatabase corresponding to the information representing time at which thecontents were broadcast, the database correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a counter thatoperates with a predetermined clock signal, a storing means for storinga count value of the counter at predetermined time corresponding touser's operation, a communicating means for transmitting the count valuestored in the storing means to an external unit, and a sound generatingmeans for generating a sound corresponding to the count value stored inthe storing means, wherein information representing time is input to asearching unit, the searching unit searching information representingcontents from a database corresponding to the information representingtime at which the contents were broadcast, the database correlativelystoring the information representing the contents and broadcast timethereof.

A sixteenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a counter thatoperates with a predetermined clock signal, a first storing means forstoring a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, an identification information generating means forgenerating predetermined identification information corresponding to theuser's operation, a second storing means for storing the identificationinformation generated by the identification information generatingmeans, and a communicating means for transmitting the count value andthe identification information stored in the first storing means and thesecond storing means to an external unit, wherein informationrepresenting time and identification information identifying contentsare input to a searching unit, the searching unit searching informationrepresenting contents from a database corresponding to the informationrepresenting time at which the contents were broadcast, the databasecorrelatively storing the information representing the contents andbroadcast time thereof.

A seventeenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a counter thatoperates with a predetermined clock signal, a first storing means forstoring a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, a communicating means for communicating with anexternal unit and transmitting the count value stored in the firststoring means to an external unit, and a second storing means forstoring data transmitted from an external unit through the communicatingmeans, wherein information representing time is input to a searchingunit, the searching unit searching information representing contentsfrom a database corresponding to the information representing time atwhich the contents were broadcast, the database correlatively storingthe information representing the contents and broadcast time thereof.

An eighteenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a storing means forstoring time information representing predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, a displaying means for displaying the number ofentries of the time information stored in the storing means, and acommunicating means for transmitting the time information stored in thestoring means to an external unit, wherein information representing timeis input to a searching unit, the searching unit searching informationrepresenting contents from a database corresponding to the timeinformation representing time at which the contents were broadcast, thedatabase correlatively storing the information representing the contentsand broadcast time thereof.

A nineteenth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a first storingmeans for storing time information representing predetermined timecorresponding to user's operation, a communicating means forcommunicating with an external unit and transmitting the timeinformation stored in the first storing means to the external unit, anda second storing means for storing data transmitted from the externalunit through the communicating means, wherein information representingtime is input to a searching unit, the searching unit searchinginformation representing contents from a database corresponding to thetime information representing time at which the contents were broadcast,the database correlatively storing the information representing thecontents and broadcast time thereof.

A twentieth aspect of the present invention is an inputting unit forinputting information representing time, comprising a counter thatoperates with a predetermined clock signal, a storing means for storinga count value of the counter at predetermined time corresponding touser's operation, a sound generating means for generating apredetermined sound when the count value is stored to the storing meanscorresponding to the user's operation, and a communicating means fortransmitting the count value stored in the storing means to an externalunit, wherein information representing time is input to a searchingunit, the searching unit searching information representing contentsfrom a database corresponding to the information representing time atwhich the contents were broadcast, the database correlatively storingthe information representing the contents and broadcast time thereof.

A twenty-first aspect of the present invention is an inputting methodfor an inputting unit having a counter that operates with apredetermined clock signal, the method comprising the steps of (a)storing a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, (b) directly connecting the count value stored atthe storing step (a) to an external unit, and (c) transmitting the countvalue stored at the storing step (a) to the external unit connected atthe connecting step (b), wherein information representing time is inputto a searching unit through the external unit, the searching unitsearching information representing contents from a databasecorresponding to time information representing time at which thecontents were broadcast, the database correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof.

A twenty-second aspect of the present invention is an inputting methodfor an inputting unit having a counter that operates with apredetermined clock signal, the method comprising the steps of (a)storing a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, (b) displaying the count value stored at thestoring step (a), and (c) communicating the count value stored at thestoring step (a) to an external unit, wherein information representingtime is input to A searching unit, the searching unit searchinginformation representing contents from a database corresponding to timeinformation representing time at which the contents were broadcast, thedatabase correlatively storing the information representing the contentsand broadcast time thereof.

A twenty-third aspect of the present invention is an inputting methodfor an inputting unit having a counter that operates with apredetermined clock signal, the method comprising the steps of (a)storing a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, (b) transmitting the count value stored at thestoring step (a) to an external unit, and (c) generating a soundcorresponding to the count value stored at the storing step (a), whereininformation representing time is input to a searching unit, thesearching unit searching information representing contents from adatabase corresponding to time information representing time at whichthe contents were broadcast, the database correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof.

A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention is an inputting methodfor an inputting unit having a counter that operates with apredetermined clock signal, the method comprising the steps of (a)storing a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, (b) generating predetermined identificationinformation corresponding to the user's operation, (c) storing theidentification information generated at the identification informationgenerating step (b), (d) transmitting the count value and theidentification information stored at the first storing step (a) and thesecond storing step (c) to an external unit, wherein informationrepresenting time is input to a searching unit, the searching unitsearching information representing contents from a databasecorresponding to time information representing time at which thecontents were broadcast, the database correlatively storing theinformation representing the contents and broadcast time thereof.

A twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention is an inputting methodfor an inputting unit having a counter that operates with apredetermined clock signal, the method comprising the steps of (a)storing a count value of the counter at predetermined time correspondingto user's operation, (b) communicating with an external unit andtransmitting the count value stored at the first storing step (a) to theexternal unit, and (c) storing the data transmitted from the externalunit at the communicating step (b), wherein information representingtime is input to a searching unit, the searching unit searchinginformation representing contents from a database corresponding to timeinformation representing time at which the contents were broadcast, thedatabase correlatively storing the information representing the contentsand broadcast time thereof.

According to searching system and searching method of the presentinvention, in an inputting unit, information representing at least timeat which contents were broadcast is stored in a storing means by apredetermined operation. The information is transmitted to the outside.A searching unit searches information representing contents from thestoring means corresponding to information representing time. Thestoring means correlatively stores information representing contents andbroadcast time thereof. A terminal unit receives informationrepresenting time from the inputting unit and transmits the informationto the searching unit. Search results are supplied from the searchingunit to the terminal unit. The terminal unit displays the informationrepresenting time received from the inputting unit and the searchresults received from the searching unit. Thus, information representingtime at which contents were broadcast is input from the inputting unit.The information representing time is transmitted to the searching unit.The searching unit searches information representing the contentscorresponding to the information representing time. The terminal unitdisplays the information representing the contents.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent in light of the following detaileddescription of a best mode embodiment thereof, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an informationsearching system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of amusical piece data searching system according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a play list;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of anauxiliary terminal unit (for example, a book marker) according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of thebook marker according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of time informationstored in a memory of the book marker;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of agateway device;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a registration screen of thegateway device, the registration screen being used to register a userand a book marker that the user has;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a contents searchingprocess according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display screen ofthe gateway device according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams showing an example of thestructure of the book marker;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the appearance of acradle to which the book mark was mounted;

FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are schematic diagrams showing an example ofmembers that appears on the displaying portion in the case that entriesof time information are being transmitted;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are schematic diagrams showing a modification of thebook marker;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic diagrams showing another modification ofthe book marker;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are schematic diagrams showing another modification ofthe book marker;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing another modification of the bookmarker;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing another modification of the bookmarker;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing another modification of the bookmarker;

FIG. 20 is a first part of a flow chart showing a process after the userobtains a book marker until he or she purchases a music CD;

FIG. 21 is a second part of the flow chart shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a time informationselection screen displayed on a personal computer in the case that timeinformation was transmitted to the personal computer;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a search resultdisplay screen displayed on the personal computer corresponding totransmitted search results;

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a musical piecedemonstration screen displayed on the personal computer;

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a musical pieceinformation saving screen displayed on the personal computer;

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a shopping cartscreen for displaying the contents of a shopping cart;

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a purchasing screendisplayed in the case that the personal computer is accessed to a website on which the user can purchase a music CD;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of asearching system according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram showing a money flow that takes placeaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Next, the present invention will be described in detail. First of all,an outline of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows anoutlined structure of an information searching system according to thepresent invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the information searching systemcomprises two databases 1 and 2, a search engine 3, and an auxiliaryterminal unit 4. The search engine 3 searches the databases 1 and 2. Theauxiliary terminal unit 4 assists the user for search conditions.

The database 1 stores information about contents that were broadcastfrom broadcasting mediums such as radio broadcasting stations. Thedatabase 1 correlatively stores musical piece names that were broadcastfrom radio broadcasting stations, time information representing time atwhich these musical pieces were broadcast, and broadcasting stationinformation representing the broadcasting stations that broadcast thesemusical pieces. The database 1 may store information about contents ofother broadcasting mediums. The contents may be commodity information aswell as musical pieces.

The database 1 correlatively stores musical piece names and additionalinformation thereabout. The additional information about each musicalpiece is composed of for example a music CD number, CD titleinformation, information of a performer and a composer, the words, aguidance, and so forth. The additional information of each musical piecemay be stored to another database that can be searched from the searchengine 3.

In this example, it is assumed that the broadcasting medium is a radiobroadcasting station and that contents provided by the broadcastingmedium are musical pieces.

The database 2 stores information about contents stored in the database1. When contents are musical pieces that were broadcast from abroadcasting medium, information about contents (for example, an album(CD) name, performer information, a seller, and a released date) iscorrelated with musical piece names and stored. The database 2 can alsostore customer information of the system. The database 2 stores customerID information unique to each auxiliary terminal unit 4 (that will bedescribed later) and other information about each customer.

The search engine 3 searches information from the database 1corresponding to a search condition designated by the user. In thisexample, the engine represents a structure of a block that provides theuser with a particular function. The search engine 3 provides the userwith a particular searching function.

When the user likes a musical piece that was broadcasted from a radiobroadcasting station, if he or she knows the radio broadcasting station,the location, and the broadcast time, he or she designate locationinformation 5, broadcasting station information 6, and time information7 as search conditions to the search engine 3. The search engine 3searches the database 1 corresponding to the designated searchconditions and outputs for example a musical piece name as the searchresults. In addition, the search engine 3 searches the database 2 usingthe musical piece name as a search condition and outputs an album name,a seller name, performer name information, and so forth of the musicalpiece. The search results of the database 2 are supplied to the user.

On the other hand, when the user wants to search a desired musical piecethat was broadcast from a radio broadcasting station, he or she may notknow the information 5, 6, and 7 or ambiguously knows them. However,according to the present invention, the user has the auxiliary terminalunit 4 that can obtain time information 7. In addition, the locationinformation 5 and the broadcasting station information 6 of the user arepre-stored as customer information to the database 2.

In other words, when the user likes a musical piece that was broadcast,he or she operates the auxiliary terminal unit 4 so as to store timeinformation 7′ at which the musical piece was broadcast. Thereafter, theuser causes the search engine 3 to search a musical piece correspondingto the time information 7′. The search engine 3 searches the database 1corresponding to the time information 7′, the location information 5,and the broadcasting station information 6 (the information 5 and 6 havebeen stored in the database 2). The search engine 3 searches thedatabase 2 corresponding to a musical piece name obtained as the searchresults. The search results are supplied as alternatives of user'sdesired information to the user.

According to the system of the present invention, when the user likes amusical piece that was broadcast, he or she can obtain desiredinformation by causing the auxiliary terminal unit 4 to store the timeinformation 7′.

Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.FIG. 2 shows an example of the structure of a musical piece datasearching system. In FIG. 2, similar portions to those in FIG. 1 aredenoted by similar reference numerals and their description is omitted.The database 1, the database 2, and the search engine 3 compose a bookmark search engine 10. The book mark search engine 10 is connected toanother web site (not shown) through a communication line such asInternet.

A web site is a place from which information is published to thenetwork. The book mark search engine 10 is one web site. For example,the book mark search engine 10 is connected to a database (not shown) asanother web site. The location of a web site is represented with addressinformation referred to as URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

A broadcasting station 12 is for example a radio broadcasting station.The broadcasting station 12 broadcasts for example musical pieces ascontents corresponding to a pre-created play list. The play list may becreated after the contents were broadcast. Information such as commodityinformation other than musical pieces may be broadcast as contents. Thebroadcasting station 12 may be,a television broadcasting station thatwirelessly or non-wirelessly broadcasts TV program, a CATV (CableTelevision), or a non-wireless broadcasting station that mainlybroadcasts musical pieces.

The book mark search engine 10 and the broadcasting station 12 areconnected through a communication line such as Internet. Theabove-described play list is transmitted from the broadcasting station12 to the book mark search engine 10. The book mark search engine 10stores the received play list to the database 1. FIG. 3 shows an exampleof a play list. In the example shown in FIG. 3, for example one musicalpiece as contents that was broadcast is correlated with the name of thebroadcasting station 12 that broadcast the contents (Station Name), thebroadcasting area of the broadcasting station 12 (Area), the broadcaststart time of the contents (musical pieces) (Start Time), the broadcastend time of the contents (End Time), and the contents name (Content).

A play list stored in the database 1 is not always transmitted from thebroadcasting station 12. In other words, a play list may be manuallycreated using information of broadcast programs. The created play listmay be stored to the database 1 through a predetermined storage medium.Alternatively, a play list may be created by another system other than abroadcasting station and transmitted to the book mark search engine 10.The database 1 can store a plurality of play lists of differentbroadcasting stations in such a manner that they are identified.

The book mark search engine 10 and a gateway device 11 arebidirectionally connected through a communication line 8 such asInternet. As will be described later, the gateway device 11 is forexample a personal computer. The gateway device 11 can bidirectionallycommunicate with the book mark search engine 10. In addition, thegateway device 11 can communicate with the auxiliary terminal unit 4that the user has.

The gateway device 11 is not limited to a personal computer. Forexample, the gateway device 11 may be a set top box used to connect atelevision receiver and a digital network. As another example, thegateway device 11 may be an IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) that is adigital broadcasting receiver. In addition, the gateway device 11 is notlimited to a device that can be used by individuals. For example, aninformation terminal unit that is installed as a public terminal unit ina retail store may be used as the gateway device 11.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the appearance of the auxiliary terminal unit4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.Hereinafter, the auxiliary terminal unit 4 is referred to as book marker4. The book marker 4 has an inputting portion 20 and a displayingportion 21. The inputting portion 20 is composed of for example buttons.The displaying portion 21 displays the current time. In addition, thebook marker 4 has a connector 22 that is an electric connecting pointused to communicate with the gateway device 11.

The book marker 4 is simply structured as will be described later. Forexample, the book marker 4 may be contained in a small case that can beused as a key holder. As another example, the book marker 4 may be builtin various types of electronic devices. As will be described later, thebook marker 4 may be built in a radio receiver. In addition, the bookmarker 4 may be built in a car stereo system of an automobile. Ofcourse, the book marker 4 may be built in other than electronic devices.The book marker 4 may be preferably built in a portable device or adevice that can be portably used.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the book marker 4 accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 25 has a memory, a bus, a particularinterface, and so forth (that are not shown). A button 20, a displayingportion 21, a memory 26, a timer 28, an interface 29, and a ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 91 are connected to the CPU 25. The timer 28 outputs thecurrent time. Under the control of the CPU 25, the current time can beadjusted. The displaying portion 21 is composed of for example an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display). The displaying portion 21 is controlled by theCPU 25. Time information is supplied from the timer 28 to the displayingportion 21 under the control of the CPU 25. The displaying portion 21may be omitted.

The ROM 91 pre-stores a program that causes the book marker 4 to becontrolled. The CPU 25 controls the operation of the book marker 4corresponding to the program stored in the ROM 91. The CPU 25 controlsthe operations of the displaying portion 21, the button 20, thecommunication through the interface 29, the access control of the memory26, and so forth.

The CPU 25 detects the operation of the button 20 performed by the user.Time information at which the button 20 is operated is stored to thememory 26 corresponding to the output of the timer 28. As shown in FIG.6, a plurality of entries of time information can be stored to thememory 26. Each entry of time information is assigned to a uniquesequence number. A terminal ID 27 is stored at a particular area of thememory 26. The terminal ID 27 is a unique ID that identifies the bookmarker 4.

In the above-described example, information stored in the memory 26corresponding to the operation of the button 20 is time information andidentification information that identifies each entry of the timeinformation. However, the present invention is not limited to such anexample. In other words, time information and category informationthereof can be stored to the memory 26. When the user operates thebutton 20, the CPU 25 determines whether the user momentarily pressesthe button 20 once, presses the button 20 twice in a predetermined timeperiod, or continuously presses the button 20 for a predetermined timeperiod or longer. Corresponding to the detected results, the CPU 25generates category information and stores the category information, theidentification information, and the time information to the memory 26.

For example, when the user momentarily presses the button 20 once, theCPU 25 determines that he or she has operated the book marker 4 for aradio broadcast. When the user presses the button 20 twice in apredetermined time period, the CPU 25 determines that he or she hasoperated the book marker 4 for a television broadcast. When the usercontinuously presses the button 20 for a predetermined time period orlonger, the CPU 25 determines that he or she has operated the bookmarker 4 for an out-of-area. The CPU 25 generates a flag correspondingto the category information. The flag, the time information, and theidentification information are correlatively stored in the memory 26.

The interface 29 controls a communication with the outside of theconnector 22 (namely, with the gateway device 11). The interfacestandard of the interface 29 that communicates with the gateway device11 is not limited. For example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) can be usedas an interface standard for a communication between the book marker 4and the gateway device 11. Alternatively, an interface standard definedas IEEE-1394 may be used. In addition, RS-232C may be used as aninterface standard for a communication between the book marker 4 and thegateway device 11.

In addition, as was described above, the communication interface is notlimited to a non-wireless interface. For example, using an infrared raysignal corresponding to IrdA (Infrared Data Association) interfacestandard, a communication can be made between the book marker 4 and thegateway device 11. In this case, each of the connector 22 and theinterface 29 should have transmitting/receiving functions for aninfrared ray signal.

In addition, the book marker 4 may be structured as an IC card having anIC (Integrated Circuit) and a communicating means or a PC cardcorresponding to PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card InternationalAssociation) standard or JEIDA (Japan Electronic Industry DevelopmentAssociation) standard. When the book marker 4 is structured as an ICcard, an interface standard corresponding to the IC card is used as theinterface 29. When the book marker 4 is structured as a PC card, aconnector corresponding to the PC card is used for the gateway device11. When the book marker 4 as a PC card is directly attached to theconnector corresponding to the PC card, a communication can be madebetween the book marker 4 and the gateway device 11.

The terminal ID 27 stored in the memory 26 and the time information canbe read from the memory 26 and output to the outside through theinterface 29 under the control of the CPU 25.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of the gateway device 11. Aswas described above, the gateway device 11 may be a conventionalpersonal computer. In FIG. 7, a conventional personal computer is usedas the gateway device 11. Referring to FIG. 7, a CPU 31, a ROM (ReadOnly Memory) 32, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33, a display controllingcircuit 34, and a storage medium (for example, a hard disk 36) areconnected to a bus 30. In addition, an inputting means 91 that outputs acontrol signal corresponding to user's operation is connected to the bus30. The inputting means 91 is composed of for example a keyboard and apredetermined pointing device (such as a mouse). The CPU 31 operatescorresponding to a program stored in the ROM 32 and the hard disk 36.Corresponding to user's operation against the inputting means 91, theCPU 31 performs a predetermined operation. The RAM 33 is used as a workmemory of for example the CPU 31. A display control signal that isoutput from the CPU 31 is supplied to the display controlling circuit34. The display controlling circuit 34 causes a display 35 to displaydata corresponding to a display control signal.

In addition, an interface 37 that communicates with the book marker 4 isconnected to the bus 30. The interface 37 complies with an interfacestandard corresponding to the interface 29 of the book marker 4 (forexample, USB, IEEE-1394, RS-232C, IrDA, or the like).

In addition, a communicating means 38 is connected to the bus 30. Thecommunicating means 38 communicates with the book mark search engine 10through the communication line 8. The communicating means 38 is forexample a modem. The communicating means 38 is connected to a publictelephone line as the communication line 8. The gateway device 11 isconnected to Internet with for example a modem through the publictelephone network. In addition, the gateway device 11 canbidirectionally communicate with the book mark search engine 10 throughInternet.

An audio processing means 39 is connected to the bus 30. The audioprocessing means 39 converts digital audio data supplied through the bus30 into an analog audio signal. The analog audio signal that is outputfrom the audio processing means 39 is reproduced by for example aspeaker 90.

As was described above, the user should pre-register his or herinformation to the database 2 of the book mark search engine 10. Theuser information can be registered using the gateway device 11. First ofall, the user connects the book marker 4 to the gateway device 11through a predetermined interface. The user operates the gateway device11 so as to register himself or herself and the book marker 4 to thecustomer database 2.

FIG. 8 shows an example of fields on a registration screen 40 of thedisplay 35 in the case that the user registers himself or herself andhis/her book marker 4 to the customer database 2. A “name” field 41 isused to input the name of the user. A “book mark ID” field 42 is used toinput the terminal ID 27 of the user's book marker 4.

The above-described terminal ID 27 is input by a communication betweenthe gateway device 11 and the book marker 4. In other words, a requestfor the terminal ID 27 is transmitted from the gateway device 11 to thebook marker 4. The book marker 4 reads the terminal ID 27 from thememory 26 under the control of the CPU 25 corresponding to the request.The terminal ID 27 is transmitted to the gateway device 11. The gatewaydevice 11 causes the display 35 to display the received terminal ID 27at the “book mark ID” field 42. In addition, the gateway device 11causes the RAM 33 to store the received terminal ID 27.

A “zip code” field 43 and a “area code” field 44 are used to input thezip code and the area code of the public telephone line of the user.Corresponding to the contents that was input to the fields 43 and 44,the user's area is represented. With respect to the user's area,information that represents a geographical area can be input instead ofthe zip code and the area code. Alternatively, an area name that wasdesignated may be input. A “radio station” field 45 is used to inputinformation that identifies user's favorite radio station. In thisexample, although a broadcasting station name was input, a frequencyband of a radio broadcasting station may be input.

A “card number” field 46 is used to input user's credit card number,user's bank card number, or the like. An “address” field 47 is used toaccurately input the user's address. These fields are used when aservice using the book marker 4 requires a charging process.

Each piece of information that is input to the fields 41 to 47 is storedto the RAM 33. The information is read from the RAM 33 corresponding toa predetermined operation. The information that is read from the RAM 33is transmitted to the book mark search engine 10 by the communicatingmeans 38. At this point, each information to be transmitted ispreferably encrypted corresponding to a predetermined encrypting method.

On the other hand, the timer 28 is adjusted by the book marker 4. Forexample, when the terminal ID 27 is registered, the book marker 4 andthe gateway device 11 are connected. At this point, the book marker 4and the gateway device 11 are bidirectionally communicated. Using timeinformation that is output from a timer (not shown) of the gatewaydevice 11, the timer 28 of the book marker 4 can be adjusted.

Such a process can be performed by a uni-directional communication fromthe book marker 4 to the gateway device 11. In this case, the bookmarker 4 and the gateway device 11 are connected. The terminal ID 27 istransmitted from the book marker 4 to the gateway device 11. Inaddition, time information of the timer 28 is transmitted from the bookmarker 4 to the gateway device 11. The gateway device 11 compares thetransmitted time information with time information represented by thetimer (not shown) of the gateway device 11. Corresponding to thedifference, the correct time may be calculated.

In these cases, the time information of the timer (not shown) of thegateway device 11 should be adjusted to correct time by a proper manner.

In the above-described example, the book marker 4 has a timer. However,it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to such anexample. In other words, a counter that operates with a clock signalhaving a predetermined period may be disposed in the book marker 4.Corresponding to the count value of the counter, time information thatrepresents the time at which the button 20 was pressed can be obtained.For example, the count value at which the user pressed the button 20 isstored to the memory 26. When the book marker 4 is connected to thegateway device 11 and the count value stored in the memory 26 istransmitted to the gateway device 11, the count value at which the countvalue was transmitted is also transmitted to the gateway device 11 inaddition to the count value that was read from the memory 26.

On the other hand, the gateway device 11 adjusts the timer (not shown)in a predetermined manner and obtains a master clock. For example, thecommunicating means 38 communicates with the book mark search engine 10through the communication line 8, obtains time information, and adjuststhe timer of the gateway device 11 corresponding to the timeinformation. In addition, a predetermined receiving means may bedisposed in the gateway device 11. The receiving means may receive timeinformation contained in a television broadcast or a radio broadcast.Corresponding to the received time information, the timer of the gatewaydevice 11 may be adjusted.

The gateway device 11 obtains the difference between the count value atwhich the user pressed the button 20 and the count value at which timeinformation was transmitted from the book marker 4. When the count upperiod of the counter of the book marker 4 is known, the time is tracedback from the time at which time information was transmitted from thebook marker 4 by the count value of the difference corresponding to thetimer of the gateway device 11. Thus, the time at which the user pressedthe button 20 of the book marker 4 and the count value was stored to thememory 26 can be accurately obtained.

According to this method, it is not necessary to dispose a clock (timer28) and the displaying portion 21 that displays time in the book marker4. This method is preferable because it is not necessary to adjust thetimer 28 of the book marker 4.

When the book marker 4 is provided with a counter instead of a timer,the count value of the counter corresponds to time information.

In the case that the book marker 4 is connected to the gateway device11, when the gateway device 11 measures the count value of the counterof the book marker 4 at an interval of a predetermined time period, theperiod of the counter of the book marker 4 can be obtained.

In the above-described example, the counter counts with a clock signalhaving a predetermined period. However, it should be noted that thepresent invention is not limited to such an example. When the countervalue is correlated with the counter start time, the counter can beoperated with a clock signal that is generated at any timing. Forexample, the counter may be operated with an M sequence clock signalgenerated by a shift register and an exclusive-OR circuit.Alternatively, by periodically varying the period of a clock signal, thecounter can be accomplished. Of course, the gateway device 11 shouldknow the type of the counter used in the book marker 4. When such aclock signal is used for the counter, the book marker 4 can be preventedfrom illegally being fabricated or used.

In the above-described example, the time at which the button 20 waspressed on the book marker 4 is obtained with the gateway device 11.However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited tosuch an example. In other words, the gateway device 11 obtains firsttime information that represents the time at which the button 20 waspressed on the book marker 4 and second time information that representsthe time at which the first time information was transmitted from thebook marker 4 to the gateway device 11, transmits the first timeinformation and the second time information to the book mark searchengine 10, and obtains the accurate time at which the button 20 waspressed corresponding to the master clock of the book mark search engine10.

The timer 28 of the book marker 4 or the above-described counter mayoperate as a stop watch. In other words, when the button 20 is operated,the timer 28 or the counter starts counting. Thus, when time information(or count value) is transmitted from the book marker 4 to the gatewaydevice 11, the timer 28 or the counter is reset and stopped. When thebutton 20 is operated next time, the timer 28 or the counter startsoperating. In such a manner, the power consumption of the book marker 4can be reduced.

Next, with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 9, the contentssearching process of the system shown in FIG. 2 will be described. Firstof all, at step S10, in the above-described manner, the terminal ID 27of user's book marker 4 is registered to the book mark search engine 10.

The user can store time information to the book marker 4 with theterminal ID 27 at any place (for example, on the street or in the car).When the user likes a musical piece that he or she is listening on theradio, he or she presses the button 20 of the book marker 4. Timeinformation at which the button 20 was pressed is stored to the memory26 of the book marker 4 (at step S11). A plurality of entries of timeinformation can be stored to the memory 26 of the book marker 4 as longas it has a free space (at step S12).

At step S13, the book marker 4 and the gateway device 11 (abbreviated asG·D in FIG. 9) are connected. At step S14, time information stored tothe memory 26 of the book marker 4 is read along with the terminal ID27. The time information is transmitted to the gateway device 11 througha predetermined interface. At step S14, the transmitting process isautomatically performed after the book marker 4 and the gateway device11 are connected. At step S15, the time information and the terminal ID27 that were transmitted from the book marker 4 to the gateway device 11are transmitted to the book mark search engine 10 through thecommunication line 8.

At step S16, the book mark search engine 10 searches informationcorresponding to the time information and the terminal ID 27 transmittedfrom the gateway device 11. As a search condition, time information isused. When the user wants to know musical piece information, it issearched from the database 1 corresponding to the time information.Corresponding to play lists of broadcasting stations stored in thedatabase 1, musical piece names of musical pieces that were broadcastedfrom the radio broadcasting stations at the time represented by the timeinformation are output.

When the searching process is performed at step S16, the searchcondition is narrowed corresponding to the user's information registeredat step S10. Corresponding to the terminal ID 27 transmitted from thegateway device 11, the database 2 is searched. As a result, the user'sregistration information as the terminal ID 27 is output. Theregistration information is used as another search condition.

At this point, only a play list of a particular broadcasting station issearched from the database 1 corresponding to broadcasting stationinformation that was input in the “radio station” field 45 when theterminal ID 27 was registered to the book mark search engine 10 at stepS10.

After the play list was searched (at step S17), the search results aresupplied to the user. In other words, the search results of the bookmark search engine 10 are transmitted to the gateway device 11. Thegateway device 11 displays the transmitted search results on a displayscreen (that will be described later). Thus, the user can know whetheror not user's desired information was obtained (at step S18).

When the search results do not contain user's desired information, arelevant message is transmitted from the gateway device 11 to the bookmark search engine 10. At step S19, with a changed search condition, thedatabase 1 is searched. For example, as a search condition, broadcastingstations are searched corresponding to information that was input in the“zip code” field 43 and the “area code” field 44. Alternatively,broadcasting stations may be searched corresponding to adjacent areas ofthe area represented by the fields 43 and 44.

When the database 1 is searched again at step S19, a search conditionmay be automatically designated by the book mark search engine 10. Forexample, at step S10, the bookmark search engine 10 may designateinformation registered by the user as a search condition one after theother. When the database 1 is searched again, the user may designate asearch condition. In this case, the user inputs a new search conditionto the gateway device 11. The input search condition is transmitted fromthe gateway device 11 to the book mark search engine 10.

When user's desired information was searched, the flow advances to stepS20. At step S20, the searched information is transmitted from the bookmark search engine 10 to the gateway device 11. When information about amusical piece is searched, audio data of the searched musical piece istransmitted from the book mark search engine 10 to the gateway device11. Audio data of musical pieces can be stored to the database 2.Alternatively, the user can request another web site connected to forexample Internet to transmit audio data of a musical piece.

The user can cause the hard disk 36 of the gateway device 11 to storereceived audio data and the audio processing means 39 and the speaker 90to reproduce the audio data. When the user likes the reproduced musicalpiece, he or she can cause the gateway device 11 to communicate with thebook mark search engine 10 and request to purchase an album (CD) thatcontains the musical piece.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen of the gateway device 11 (thisscreen is displayed at and after step S18). At upper positions of thescreen, a user name 51, a terminal ID 27, and an area 52 appear asuser's registered information. The area 52 is omitted as an input fieldon the registration screen shown in FIG. 8. In the example shown in FIG.10, three radio broadcasting stations “AAAA”, “BBBB”, and “CCCC” and oneCATV (Cable Television) broadcasting station “DDD” have been registered.

Search results of four broadcasting stations by the book mark searchengine 10 corresponding to one entry of time information 53 registeredto the book marker 4 appear as search results 54, 55, 56, and 57. Inthis example, musical pieces were broadcast from the broadcastingstations “AAAA”, “BBBB”, and “DDD” at the time represented by the timeinformation 53. On the other hand, an advertisement was broadcast fromthe broadcasting station “CCCC” at the time represented by the timeinformation 53. For example, the search result 54 for the broadcastingstation “AAAA” contains a CD jacket image 54A, a program name—singername 54B, and a CD sales price 54C. The CD jacket image 54A appearsbelow a broadcasting station name and broadcasting frequency bandinformation. The CD jacket image 54A shows a jacket image of a CD thatcontains a musical piece that was broadcast at the time represented bythe time information 53 from the broadcasting station “AAAA”.

Below the CD sales price 54C, buttons 58, 59, and 60 appear as virtualoperation buttons operated with a user interface of the gateway device11. The buttons 58, 59, and 60 are in common with each broadcastingstation that broadcast musical pieces. When the user operates the button58, audio data of the musical piece is transmitted from the book marksearch engine 10 to the gateway device 11. The audio data is processedby the audio processing means 39 and then reproduced from the speaker90. When the user operates the button 58, the transmitted audio data isnot stored to a predetermined storing device (for example, the hard disk36).

With reference to the jacket image 54A, the musical piece name—singername 54B, the audio data of the musical piece, and so forth, the usercan select a desired musical piece from those that were broadcast fromthe registered broadcasting stations.

The button 59 is used when the user wants to purchase a CD that containsa desired musical piece. The button 60 is used to download and storeaudio data of a desired musical piece to for example the hard disk 36.When the user purchases a CD or downloads audio data using the button 59or 60, the fee of the CD or audio data is charged to the credit card orbank card corresponding to the information that was input to the “cardnumber” field 46 shown in FIG. 8.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, the buttons 58, 59, and 60 do notappear for the advertisement that was broadcast from the broadcastingstation “CCCC”. Alternatively, a button that allows the user to purchasea commodity item of the advertisement may be additionally placed.

When there are many registered broadcasting stations, search results maynot appear at a time. In this case, by operating a button 61,information of other registered broadcasting stations appears.

In the above-described example, the book marker 4 was described as adedicated device that stores time information. However, it should benoted that the present invention is not limited to such an example. Forexample, a portable communication device such as a portable telephoneunit or a PHS (Personal Handy Phone System) unit may be provided withthe function of the book marker 4. The button 20 can be disposed on thedevice along with dial keys and so forth. The telephone number of thedevice can be used as the terminal ID 27. In a combination of the dialkeys, the function of the button 20 can be accomplished. Likewise, a GPS(Global Positioning System) may be provided with the function of thebook marker 4. When a device such as a PHS unit or a GPS unit that has afunction for detecting the position thereof is provided with thefunction of the book marker 4, since the position of the user can belocated, broadcasting stations and so forth can be more narrowlysearched.

In addition, a small portable information device referred to as PDA(Personal Digital Assistant) can be used as the book marker 4. In thiscase, the PDA is provided with the function of the book marker 4 assoftware. The PDA virtually operates as the book marker 4.

In addition, a portable telephone unit that can subscribe to an Internetconnection service can be used as the gateway device 11. For example,the book marker 4 may be structured as a strap for holding a portabletelephone unit. In this case, one end of the strap is structured as theconnector 22. The other end is connected to the portable telephone unit.A portable telephone unit that can subscribe to an Internet connectionservice is provided with a connector that allows data to be transmittedto Internet. When time information stored in the book marker 4structured as a strap is transmitted to the portable telephone unit asthe gateway device 11, the connector 22 disposed at an end of the strapis connected to a lower connector of the portable telephone unit. Whenthe portable telephone unit is connected to Internet, time informationcan be easily transmitted from the gateway device 11 to the book marksearch engine 10.

As a modification of the first embodiment, the button 20 can beaccomplished with software on the gateway device 11. The function of thebutton 20 for storing time information is assigned to a predeterminedkey of the gateway device 11 of a predetermined position of the displayscreen thereof. Likewise, the function of the button 20 may be assignedto a predetermined icon on the display screen of the gateway device 11.When an icon assigned the function of the button 20 is operated by apointing device such as a mouse, time information can be stored. Theterminal ID 27 is stored to a predetermined area of the ROM 32, the RAM33, or the hard disk 36 of the gateway device 11.

When the user operates an icon assigned as the button 20 on the gatewaydevice 11, time information that represents the time at which the iconwas operated is stored to a predetermined area of the RAM 33 or the harddisk 36. The time information is read from the RAM 33 or the hard disk36 and transmitted along with the terminal ID 27 to the book mark searchengine 10 through the communication line 8. The book mark search engine10 searches the database corresponding to the transmitted informationand transmits search results from the book mark search engine 10 to thegateway device 11 through the communication line 8.

When the searching operation is performed by the book mark search engine10, a unique terminal ID 27 is supplied to each book marker 4.Corresponding to the terminal ID 27 and time information, since the username and the musical piece name that he or she downloaded are obtainedand used for market research.

Next, practical examples of the book marker 4 will be described. As longas the book marker 4 can store time information at user's desiredtiming, various modifications are available.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show an example of the book marker 4. As shown in FIG.11A, in this example of the book marker 4, cut portions 101 and 102 areformed at both ends of the book marker 4. When a string or a chain isconnected to the cut portion 101 or 102, the user can wear the bookmarker 4 as a pendant. The displaying portion 21 is disposed at analmost center position of the book marker 4. The button 20 is disposedbelow the displaying portion 21.

The cut portion 101 composes a cap 103. The connector 22 that isconnected to the gateway device 11 is housed in the cap 103. When thecap 103 is pulled upward, as shown in FIG. 11B, the cap 103 is separatedfrom the main body of the book marker 4. Thus, the connector 22 isexposed. In other words, the connector 22 directly protrudes from themain body of the book marker 4. In this example, the interface 29 of thebook marker 4 is an interface corresponding to USB. The connector 22 isa male USB connector.

Since the connector 22 directly protrudes from the main body of the bookmarker 4, when the connector 22 of the main body of the book marker 4 isinserted into a female connector of the interface 37 of the gatewaydevice 11, the book marker 4 can be connected to the gateway device 11.If an A type USB connector is used, the compatibility between the bookmarker 4 and the gateway device 11 as a personal computer can bepreferably maintained.

Depending on the structure around the connector of the gateway device11, the main body of the book marker 4 may not be physically connectedto the gateway device 11. Thus, in this case, a connecting device thathas a female USB connector and a connecting line for the gateway device11 is used. The connecting device is referred to as cradle. FIG. 12shows an example of the appearance of the cradle 110 to which the bookmarker 4 has been connected.

The cradle 110 is formed in a semi-sphere shape. At the vertex portionof the cradle 110, a female connector 111 corresponding to the connector22 (male connector) of the book marker 4 is disposed. It should be notedthat the shape of the cradle 110 is not limited to such a semi-sphere.In other words, according to the preset invention, the shape of thecradle 110 may be rectangular parallelopiped, quadrangular pyramid, orany complicated shape. A connecting line 112 extends from the femaleconnector 111. The connecting line 112 is used to connect the cradle 110to the gateway device 11.

By connecting the connecting line 112 to a predetermined connector ofthe gateway device 11, inserting the connector 22 of the book marker 4into the female connector 111 of the cradle 110, and then mounting thebook marker 4 to the cradle 110, time information stored in the memory26 of the book marker 4 can be transmitted to the gateway device 11.

Entries of time information stored in the book marker 4 appear as ballshaped members 100, 100, 100, . . . and 100′ under the control of theCPU 25. As was described above, the book marker 4 generates categoryinformation corresponding to time information that depends on theoperating method of the button 20. The time information and the categoryinformation can be stored in the memory 26. The category information canbe affected to the time information that appears on the displayingportion 21.

In the example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, black ball shaped members100 and white ball shaped members 100′ represent category information. Ablack ball shaped member 100 represents an operation of the button 20corresponding to a radio broadcast. A white ball shaped member 100′represents an operation of the button 20 corresponding to a televisionbroadcast. Another member (not shown) represents an operation of thebutton 20 corresponding to out-of-area.

Of course, entries of time information may appear as other members, notblack and white ball shaped members. For example, entries of timeinformation may appears as a number. In addition, the number of entriesof time information that can be stored to the book marker 4 may appear.

Members that appears on the displaying portion 21 may vary when entriesof time information stored in the memory 26 of the book marker 4 aretransmitted to the gateway device 11. FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show anexample of members that appear on the displaying portion 21 in the casethat entries of time information are being transmitted to the gatewaydevice 11. FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show the case that the cap 103 shownin FIGS. 11A and 11B faces downward. FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show statesthat time passes. In FIG. 13A, seven ball shaped members 100 and 100′successively disappear as they are sucked toward the connector 22 astime passes. Thus, a situation of which data stored in the memory 26 istransmitted to the gateway device 11 through the connector 22 appears asa virtual image.

Such an virtual image may appear on the gateway device 11. When an audioreproducing portion is disposed in the gateway device 11, a sound can beoutput as members vary and time passes. Actually, time information istransmitted in much shorter time than members that disappears on thedisplaying portion 21. In other words, it is not necessary tosynchronize the real data transmission speed with the speed of membersthat disappear on the displaying portion 21. When entries of timeinformation stored in the memory 26 are transmitted, as time passes,members decrease and/or a sound takes place. Thus, the user can visuallyknow that entries of time information are being transmitted to thegateway device 11.

While entries of time information are being transmitted, they can berepresented in various manners. For example, a predetermined characterimage may appear on the gateway device 11. In addition, members thatappears on the displaying portion 21 of the book marker 4 can besynchronized with members that appear on the gateway device 11 so thatthe user can see a sequence of entries of time information transmittedfrom the book marker 4 to the gateway device 11.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a modification of the book marker 4. The bookmarker 4 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B is different from the book marker 4shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B in that the lower cut portion 102 is notformed. FIG. 14A shows the state that the cap 103 has been mounted. FIG.14B shows the state that the cap 103 has been dismounted and theconnector 22 has been exposed. In the modification shown in FIGS. 14Aand 14B, the button 20 can be pressed from the bottom.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show another modification of the book marker 4. Thebook marker 4 shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B is different from the bookmarker 4 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B in that members that represententries of time information of the displaying portion 21 are formed asbars 120. FIG. 15A shows the state that the cap 103 has been mounted.FIG. 15B shows the state that the cap 103 has been removed and theconnector 22 has been exposed.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show another modification of the book marker 4. Thebook marker 4 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B is different from the bookmarker 4 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B in that the cut portions 101 and 102are omitted and a slide-proof portion 130 is disposed. The slide-proofportion 130 is formed on the side of the main body of the book marker 4and composed of for example rubber. In this example, an area 131 of thedisplaying portion 21 represents entries of time information. FIG. 16Ashows the state that the cap 103 has been mounted. FIG. 16B shows thestate that the cap 103 has been dismounted and the connector 22 has beenexposed.

FIG. 17 shows another modification of the book marker 4. In thismodification, a ring 150 is disposed to the cap 103 of the book marker4. In the state that the cap 103 has been mounted to the book marker 4,it can be used as for example a key holder.

The book marker 4 as each of the modifications shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B,15A, 15B, 16A, 16B, and 17 may be mounted to the cradle 110.

FIG. 18 shows another modification of the book marker 4. In thismodification, the book marker 4 is formed in a wrist band shape. Thedisplaying portion 21 is composed of a plurality of lighting portionsfor example LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that light corresponding toentries of time information that are stored. All lighting portions maybe initially lit. As the number of entries of time information that arestored increases, the number of the lighting portions that light maydecrease. A connecting line 140 protrudes from one end of the main bodyof the book marker 4. The connector 22 is disposed at a tail of theconnecting line 140. A structure that allows the connector 22 to beconnected and disconnected is disposed at a head of the main body of thebook marker 4. When the connector 22 is connected to the head of thebook marker 4, it is formed in a ring shape.

FIG. 19 shows another modification of the book marker 4. The book marker4 shown in FIG. 19 is used as a desk top device such as a table clock.The button 20 is disposed at an upper position of the book marker 4. Thedisplaying portion 21 is disposed on the front surface of the bookmarker 4. In this modification of the book marker 4, entries of timeinformation that were stored appear as square members 160 and 160′. Forexample, a black square member 160 represents an entry of timeinformation corresponding to a radio broadcast. A white square member160′ represents an entry of time information corresponding to atelevision broadcast. The square members 160 and 160′ appear at randompositions. The connector 22 connected to the gateway device 11 isdisposed on a rear surface (not shown) of the book marker 4. In thismodification of the book marker 4 shown in FIG. 19, a female USBconnector may be disposed on the book marker 4. With a connecting linehaving two male connectors, the book marker 4 may be connected to thegateway device 11.

The maximum number of entries of time information that are stored to thebook marker 4 may be limited. For example, in consideration of searchingoperations that will be performed later, the number of entries of timeinformation that can be stored to the book marker 4 may be designated toseveral entries to ten and several entries as an upper limit. In thiscase, a proper means for informing the user that the number of entriesof time information becomes or approaches the upper limit is preferablydisposed. For example, a sound generating means that generates a beepsound may be disposed to the book marker 4. With such a sound generatingmeans, when the number of entries of time information that can be storedto the book marker 4 becomes one, an alarm sound may be generated. Whenthe number of entries of time information that can be stored to the bookmarker 4 is zero, an alarm sound is generated when the button 20 ispressed.

A sound generated by the sound generating means is not limited to suchan alarm sound. For example, whenever the user operates the button 20 ofthe book marker 4, a predetermined sound may be generated. Thus, theuser can know whether or not the operation of the button 20 wasacknowledged without need to see the displaying portion 21 of the bookmarker 4. In addition, a sound that varies corresponding to theoperating method of the button 20 may be generated.

A cancel button may be disposed to the book marker 4. With the cancelbutton, entries of time information that were stored can be erased inthe order of the oldest entry or the latest entry. Alternatively, theuser can designate an entry to be deleted from those of time informationthat were stored.

Besides the above-described examples, the book marker 4 can be built invarious electronic devices. For example, the book marker 4 can be builtin a radio receiver. In addition, the book marker 4 can be built in acar stereo system. Of course, devices in which the book marker 4 isbuilt are not limited to electronic devices. The book marker 4 ispreferably built in a device that can be used as a mobile unit.

In the above-described examples, the button 20 is disposed as oneoperating portion for causing time information to be stored to the bookmarker 4. By operating the button 20 in various manners, a plurality ofcategory flags are generated. However, it should be noted that thepresent invention is not limited to such examples. Instead, a pluralityof buttons may be disposed to the book marker 4. Different flags may beassigned to these buttons. For example, a button 20 for a radiobroadcast and a button 20′ for a television broadcast may be disposed.In addition, in a combination of a plurality of buttons, much morecategory flags can be generated.

The operating portion for storing time information of the book marker 4is not limited to a push button. Alternatively, a rotating switch thatrotatably selects one of contacts may be disposed to the book marker 4.With the rotating switch, time information may be stored. Alternatively,a touch sensor that defects a touching of the user may be used as theoperating portion.

In the above-described examples, the book marker 4 and the gatewaydevice 11 are connected through an interface such as USB that allowsdata to be transmitted to a computer system. However, it should be notedthat the present invention is not limited to such an example. In otherwords, since the amount of data transmitted from the book marker 4 tothe gateway device is very small, an interface having the lowest datatransmission rate can be used. For example, data can be transmittedusing a conventional shield cable that is used for a head set.

In addition, the book marker 4 can be accomplished as software of apersonal computer. In this case, a personal computer as the book marker4 may be additionally used. Alternatively, when the gateway device 11 isa personal computer, the gateway device 11 can be used as the bookmarker 4. Software that accomplishes the book marker 4 on the personalcomputer can be downloaded from a communication network such asInternet. Of course, such software can be distributed or sold using arecord medium such as a CD-ROM.

Such software may be obtained from another web site through the bookmark search engine 10 connected to the gateway device 11. Alternatively,such software may be stored in the book mark search engine 10. In thiscase, the software may be directly downloaded from the gateway device11. When the user performs a particular operation on a personal computerthat executes the software that accomplishes the book marker 4, timeinformation is stored.

Alternatively, the program that causes the book marker 4 to operate maybe downloaded. For example, in the book marker 4, the ROM 91 is composedof an EEROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) that allows storedcontents to be electrically rewritten. The program that is supplied fromthe gateway device 11 or the like through the interface 29 is stored tothe ROM 91.

Thus, in the initial state, the program is not stored to the ROM 91. Theprogram is written to the ROM 91 corresponding to a predeterminedprocedure. As a result, the book marker 4 can be used.

When the user of the book marker 4 is registered, the book marker 4 isconnected to the gateway device 11. The terminal ID 27 is transmittedfrom the book marker 4 to the book mark search engine 10 through thegateway device 11. After the user of the book marker 4 has beencorrectly registered, a program for controlling the operation of thebook marker 4 is transmitted from the book mark search engine 10 to thegateway device 11. This program is transmitted from the gateway device11 to the book marker 4 through the interface 29. The transmittedprogram is written to the ROM 91. As a result, the book marker 4 can beused.

Alternatively, a startup program for the CPU 25 and a communicationcontrol program for the interface 29 can be pre-stored to the ROM 91.

When the ROM 91 is rewritable, the version of the operation controlprogram of the book marker 4 can be updated. For example, a program isdownloaded from the network connected to the gateway device 11. Thedownloaded program is transmitted to the book marker 4. As a result, thecontents stored in the ROM 91 are rewritten.

When the transmitted program can be selected by the user, members thatappear on the displaying portion 21 can be preferably selected by theuser.

The operation control program for the book marker 4 can be transmittedfrom another site that can be connected to the gateway device 11 as wellas the book mark search engine 10.

The control program for the book marker 4 can be distributed using arecord medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disc, instead of downloadingfrom the network. The program recorded in such a record medium is readby the gateway device 11. The program is transmitted to the book marker4. As a result, the contents stored in the ROM 91 are rewritten.

Next, another modification of the first embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. According to the modification,'in additionto user's personal computer, an information terminal unit that isinstalled at a retail store is used as the gateway device 11.

Such information terminal units are installed at relatively large CDstores and so-called convenience stores. The information terminal uniteare connected to a predetermined network. When the user operates such aninformation terminal unit corresponding to a menu displayed on thescreen thereof, he or she can obtain desired information. The user cansee the obtained information and obtain it with a record medium such asa floppy disk or a CD-ROM. In addition, the information terminal unit isprovided with a predetermined interface. The obtained information can bedirectly transferred to user's information device through a relevantinterface. Hereinafter, such an information terminal unit is referred toas “kiosk terminal unit”.

Since a kiosk terminal unit can be accomplished with almost the samestructure as a conventional computer as shown in FIG. 7, the descriptionof the structure of the kiosk terminal unit is omitted. The kioskterminal unit has a bus to which a CPU and a memory are connected. Inaddition, a displaying device and an input interface that accomplish GUI(Graphical User Interface) are connected to the bus. The kiosk terminalunit also has a large storage medium such as a HDD, a data outputtingmeans, a network connecting means, and so forth.

The kiosk terminal unit is connected to the above-described book marksearch engine 10 (the connection is not shown). The kiosk terminal unitis provided with an interface corresponding to the connector 22 of thebook marker 4 so that data can be transmitted between the book marker 4and the kiosk terminal unit. With the kiosk terminal unit, the user canuse the searching service using the book marker 4 regardless of whetherhe or she has the gateway device 11.

The kiosk terminal unit can be always connected to a high speedcommunication line that has a higher transmission rate than aconventional home-use network. The kiosk terminal unit can have largerstorage mediums (that are a memory and a HDD) than user personalcomputer. Thus, when the user uses a kiosk terminal unit, he or she canhave a different service from that in the case that a personal computeris used as the gateway device 11.

For example, the book marker 4 is provided with a memory having arelatively large storage capacity. The book marker 4 is connected to akiosk terminal unit. Corresponding to time information stored in thememory 26, music data is searched with the kiosk terminal unit. Thekiosk terminal unit displays a screen as shown in FIG. 10. When thekiosk terminal unit has an audio reproducing means, by operating thebutton 58, the user can listen to music data as search results.

By operating the button 60, the user can download music data as searchresults to the book marker 4 through the connector 22. In the case thatthe music data is charged, when the user pays a designated fee through amoney slot, the music data as the search results is downloaded to thebook marker 4. The user transfers the downloaded music data from thebook marker 4 to a personal computer or a dedicated music datareproducing apparatus. When music data that is downloaded iscompression-encoded corresponding to a predetermined compressionencoding method, the memory storage space and download time can bepreferably reduced.

As examples of the compression encoding method for music data, MP3(Moving Picture Experts Group 1 Audio Layer 3), ATRAC (AdaptiveTransform Acoustic Coding), ATRAC2, ATRAC3 (that are modificationsthereof) and so forth can be used. As other examples of the compressionencoding method, PASC (Precision Adaptive Sub-band Coding), Twin VQ(trademark), Real Audio (trademark), Liquid Audio (trademark), and soforth can be used.

When the book marker 4 is provided with a decoder and a audioreproducing means corresponding to a predetermined music datacompression encoding method, music data that has been downloaded andstored to the memory can be decoded and reproduced. Thus, the user canenjoy listening to downloaded music data. An example of the audioreproducing means is an audio reproducing system using a head set and soforth.

When music data is directly downloaded to the book marker 4, there maybe a problem about copyright. This problem can be solved by using anencrypting system. In the encrypting system, music data is pre-encodedcorresponding to a predetermined encoding method. The book marker 4 hasa decrypting portion that decrypts encrypted music data. Encrypted musicdata is decrypted only when it is reproduced by the book marker 4. Evenif music data downloaded to the bock marker 4 is transmitted to apersonal computer or the like, the music data cannot be decrypted unlessthe user has a decrypting key that can be used by the personal computer.

In addition, when a retail store that has a kiosk terminal unit sellsmusic CDs, the kiosk terminal unit may issue an order sheet as a searchresult corresponding to time information stored in the book marker 4.The user can hand the order sheet to a clerk of the store and buy amusic CD corresponding to the search result. When the kiosk'terminalunit is provided with a cart system that conveys music CDs, the kioskterminal unit can directly vend a music CD corresponding to a searchresult.

Next, a searching process for music data corresponding to timeinformation stored in the book marker 4 and a purchasing process for amusic CD corresponding to the search result according to theabove-described embodiments will be described in a practical manner.FIGS. 20 and 21 are a first part and a second part of a flow chartshowing a process performed after the user is registered to the bookmarker 4 until a music CD is purchased. FIGS. 22 to 27 show examples ofdisplay screens displayed on the gateway device 11 corresponding to theflow chart shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. “A” and “B” shown in FIG. 20 areconnected to “A” and “B” shown in FIG. 21, respectively.

When the user uses the book marker 4, the user should register himselfor herself to it. In FIG. 20, at step S30, it is determined whether ornot the user has been registered. When the determined result at step S30is Yes (namely, the user has been registered), the flow advances to stepS33. When the determined result at step S30 is No (namely, the user'sbook marker 4 has not been registered), the flow advances to step S31.At step S31, the book marker 4 is connected to the gateway device 11. Atstep S32, the user is registered to the book marker 4 by a predeterminedoperation of the gateway device 11. The gateway device 11 may be user'spersonal computer or an above-described kiosk terminal unit. After theuser has been registered to the book marker 4, the flow advances to stepS33.

When the determined result at step S30 is Yes (namely, the user has beenregistered to the book marker 4), the flow advances to step S33. At stepS33, the book marker 4 is operated by the user. In other words, when theuser is listening to his or her favorite musical piece, he or shepresses the button 20. As a result, time information at which the userpressed the button 20 is stored to the book marker 4. As was describedabove, depending on in what manner the button 20 was pressed, timeinformation that is stored in the book marker 4 is categorized (at stepS34). When time information is stored out of the registered area, theuser continuously presses the button 20 for a predetermined time periodor longer (at step S35). To store time information corresponding to aradio broadcast to the book marker 4, the user momentarily presses thebutton 20 once (at step S36). To store time information corresponding toa television broadcast to the book marker 4, the user presses the button20 twice in a predetermined time period (at step S37). Thereafter, theflow advances to step S38. At step S38, the time information at whichthe button 20 was pressed, identification information, and the categoryflag that represents the operating manner of the button 20 are stored tothe memory 26 of the book marker 4.

When at least one entry of time information has been stored in thememory 26 of the book marker 4, the entry of the time information can beextracted from the memory 26 and a musical piece can be searched by thebookmark search engine 10 corresponding to the entry of the timeinformation (at step S39). When the determined result at step S39 is Yes(namely, a musical piece is searched corresponding to time information),the flow advances to step S40. When the determined result at step S39 isNo (namely, time information is further stored to the book marker 4),the flow returns to step S33.

As was described above, the searching operation using time informationstored in the book marker 4 is performed when the book marker 4 isconnected to user's personal computer (PC) or a kiosk terminal unit asthe gateway device 11. When the user performs the searching operationusing his or her personal computer as the gateway device 11, the flowadvances to step S41. At step S41, the book marker 4 is connected to thepersonal computer. In addition, the personal computer is connected tofor example Internet. At step S42, the book marker 4 is connected to anavailable web site at which the bookmark search engine 10 can be used.

Time information stored in the memory 26 of the book marker 4 istransmitted to the personal computer. FIG. 22 shows an example of a timeinformation selection screen 200 that is displayed on the personalcomputer when time information has been transmitted thereto. In thisexample, entries (1) to (9) of time information stored in the bookmarker 4 are transmitted to the personal computer. The stored date andtime of each of the entries (1) to (9) of the time information appear asmembers 201 to 209.

The user selects desired information from the members 201 to 209. Forexample, the user selects one of the members 201 to 209 using a pointingdevice such as a mouse and a cursor that moves on the screencorresponding to the movement of the mouse. By clicking a mouse button,the user confirms the selected information. In addition to the terminalID 27 of the book marker 4, the selected information is transmitted fromthe personal computer to the book mark search engine 10. Thetransmission data is composed of the terminal ID 27 as a header and apair of an entry of time information and a category flag thereof.

The book mark search engine 10 searches title information of musicalpiece that were broadcast from registered broadcasting stationscorresponding to the time information and the terminal ID 27 that weretransmitted. At this point, corresponding to the category flagtransmitted along with the time information, title information issearched from radio stations or television stations. When titleinformation is searched from television stations, musical pieces ofmusic program, musical pieces of commercials, theme songs of dramas andmusical pieces in dramas may be searched.

When the category flag represents out-of-area, title information issearched from musical pieces that were broadcast from broadcastingstations out of the registered area represented by user's zip codecorresponding to the terminal ID 27.

Search results obtained by the book mark search engine 10 aretransmitted to the personal computer. FIG. 23 shows an example of asearch result display screen 210 displayed on the personal computercorresponding to transmitted search results. In this example, in FIG.22, the user selects the entry (2) of time information that appears asthe member 202. The book mark search engine 10 searches musical pieceinformation corresponding to the selected entry (2) of time information.As search results, musical piece information 211, 212, and 213 appear onthe search result display screen 210.

In other words, the search results show that musical pieces representedby the musical piece information 211, 212, and 213 were broadcast frombroadcasting stations “AAAA”, “ABCD”, and “BBBB” at 12:00 am on Oct. 18,1999 as the entry (2) of time information, respectively. Thus, it issupposed that the user listened to one of these musical pieces andoperated the button 20 of the book marker 4 at the time represented bythe entry (2) of the time information.

When the user operates the button 20 of the book marker 4, it should benoted that he or she does not always operate the button 20 just when helistens to his or her favorite musical piece. In other words, there maybe a situation of which after the user had listened his or her favoritemusical piece, he operated the button 20. Thus, it is preferable toconsider a proper margin for a broadcast time in searching musical pieceinformation. In this case, as represented with a member 217, musicalpiece information for two musical pieces appears.

With reference to the musical piece information 211, 212, and 213 on thesearch result display screen 210, the user determines whether there is amusical piece he or she listened at the time represented by the entry(2) of the time information stored in the book marker 4 (at step S43).When the user wants to listen to a demonstration of the selected musicalpiece, he or she operates a LISTEN button 214 that appears at each ofthe musical piece information 212, 213, and 214 (at step S45). When theuser operates the LISTEN button 214, a demonstration listening screen220 that allows the use to listen to a demonstration of the selectedmusical piece appears. FIG. 24 shows an example of the demonstrationlistening screen 220.

When the user operates the LISTEN button 214, the personal computertransmits information that represents what button 215 was pressed to thebook mark search engine 10. In this example, it is assumed that theLISTEN button 214 of the musical piece information 213 was operated. Thebook mark search engine 10 searches information of a music CD thatcontains a musical piece corresponding to the transmitted informationfrom the database 1. The searched information is transmitted to thepersonal computer. For example, additional information of the music CDsuch as musical piece names thereof appears as a list in a CDinformation display portion 221 on the demonstration listening screen220.

In the example shown in FIG. 24, an operating portion for controlling areproducing operation of a musical piece appears on the right of the CDinformation display portion 221. When the user operates a PLAY button222, he or she can listen to a demonstration of a musical piececorresponding to the LISTEN button 214. When the user operates the PLAYbutton 222, information that represents that the user pressed the PLAYbutton 222 is transmitted to the book mark search engine 10. Music datais pre-stored in the database 1. Music data corresponding to theselected musical piece information is transmitted from the book marksearch engine 10 to the personal computer.

Music data may be transmitted from another web site connected to thebook mark search engine 10 through a network.

The user listens to a demonstration of transmitted music data with theaudio processing means 39 and the speaker 90 disposed in the personalcomputer (at step S46). In FIG. 24, an operating portion 223 is a volumeslider with which the audio volume of the reproduced sound can beadjusted. When the user listens to a demonstration of a musical piece,the reproduction length of the play time is limited. For example, only15 seconds from the beginning or a principal portion of a musical pieceare preferably reproduced.

In the flow chart shown in FIG. 21, it is determined whether or not adesired musical piece has been searched at step S43. Thereafter, themusical piece is demonstrated at step S45. Alternatively, after amusical piece is demonstrated, it may be determined whether or not adesired musical piece has been obtained. When desired musical pieceinformation cannot be obtained as a search result at step S43, a searchcondition may be manually designated at step S44. Thus, desired musicalpiece information can be obtained.

The user wants to purchase a desired musical piece from the musicalpiece information 211, 212, and 213 as the search results (at step S47).This operation is performed as a result of the demonstration at step S46or directly from the musical piece information 211, 212, and 213 thatappear. The user purchases a musical piece with a music CD that containsthe musical piece (as will be described later). Alternatively, the usermay purchase a single musical piece rather than a music CD that containsit.

When the user does not want to purchase a searched musical piece atonce, he or she can purchase it later (at step S48). In this case, thesearch results can be stored in the web site of the book mark searchengine 10 (at step S49). When the user operates a SAVE button 215 ofeach of the musical piece information 211, 212, and 213 on thedemonstration listening screen 220 or a SAVE button 224 on thedemonstration listening screen 220, musical piece information as searchresults is stored along with user information such as terminal ID 27 tothe database 2 of the book mark search engine 10.

When the user operates the SAVE button 214 or the SAVE button 224, asave screen 230 shown in FIG. 25 appears. The save screen 230 contains alist of information 231 of musical pieces that were saved. On the savescreen 230, when the user operates a Listen button 233, he or she canlisten to a demonstration of the selected musical piece. When the useroperates a Buy button 232, he or she can order the selected musicalpiece. When the user operates a Delete button 234, he or she can deletethe information of the selected musical piece on the save screen 230.

When the user operates a BUY button 216 on the search result displayscreen 210, a BUY button 225 on the demonstration listening screen 220,or the Buy button 232 on the save screen 230, he or she can order theselected musical piece. The information of the ordered musical piece iscorrelated with the user information such as the terminal ID 27. Theresultant information is temporarily stored to a predetermined memoryarea of the book mark search engine 10 (at step S50). This memory areais referred to as shopping cart.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a shopping cart screen 240 on which thecontents of a shopping cart appear. On the shopping cart screen 240, alist 241 of information of musical pieces contained in the shopping cartand music CDs that contain the musical pieces appears. On the shoppingcart screen 240, the user can select a vender from which he or she willpurchase the selected music CD (at step S51). In this example, on theshopping cart screen 240, a plurality of vendors appear. When the useroperates one of buttons 242A, 242B, and 242C, the personal computer isconnected to a web site of the selected vendor at which he or she canpurchase the selected music CD.

When the user operates a button 243, an edit screen (not shown) appears.On the edit screen, the user can add or delete a vender of music CDs.

Next, the case that the user operated the button 242C will be described.When the user operated the button 242C, the personal computer isconnected from the web site of the book mark search engine 10 to a “CDSHOP C” web site (at step S52). FIG. 27 shows a purchase screen 250 inthe case that the personal computer is connected to the “CD SHOP C” website. In this example, on the purchase screen 250, an upper area and alower area appear. The upper area is a screen 251 on which the web siteof the book mark search engine 10 appears. The lower area is a screen252 on which the “CD SHOP C” web site appears.

Data stored in the shopping cart of the book mark search engine 10 isdirectly transmitted as a purchase item list 253 to the “CD SHOP C” website. The user decides whether or not the prices of the music CDs areproper corresponding to price information of the music CDs on the list253 (at step S53). When the prices are proper, the user orders the musicCDs in the purchase item list 253. When the user operates the BUYbuttons 254A, 254B, 254C, and 254D, he or she can order and purchase therespective music CDs from the “CD SHOP C”. The fees of the music CDs canbe charged to the credit card that is pre-registered to the “CD SHOP C”.

When the fees of the music CDs are not proper, the process is completed.Alternatively, as denoted by a dotted line in FIG. 21, the flow returnsto step S51. At step S51, on the shopping cart screen 240, the user canselect another vendor.

When the user selected a kiosk terminal unit at step S40, he or sheconnects the book marker 4 to a predetermined connection terminal of thekiosk terminal unit through the connector 22 (at step S55). The timeinformation, the identification information, the category flag, and theterminal ID 27 are transmitted from the book marker 4 to the kioskterminal unit. The kiosk terminal unit searches musical pieceinformation corresponding to the transmitted information, displayssearch results to the user through a predetermined GUI (Graphical UserInterface), and asks whether the user wants to listen to a demonstrationof the selected music CD or purchase it.

When the desired musical piece and musical piece information have beenfound (at step S56), the flow advances to step S53. At step S53, theuser decides whether or not the fee of the music CD that contains thedesired musical piece is proper. When the fee is proper, the userpurchases the music CD. When the kiosk terminal unit is installed in aCD store, the user can purchase the desired music CD corresponding tothe search result in the CD store.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the bookmark search engine 10 searches only musical pieces that were broadcastfrom radio broadcasting stations and television broadcasting stations.In contrast, according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention, commodity items in commercials that were broadcast fromtelevision broadcasting stations are also searched.

FIG. 28 shows an example of the structure of a searching systemaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 28,similar portions to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by similar referencenumerals and their description is omitted. According to the secondembodiment of the present invention, since commodity items commercialsthat were broadcast are searched, there is an advertizer 500. Theadvertizer 500 may request for example an advertizing agent 502 toproduce a commercial to be broadcast. The advertizing agent 502 maysupply the created commercial to a broadcasting station 12.

The advertizer 500 has a web site 501 on Internet. At the web site 501,the advertizer 500 guides commodity items advertized in the commercial.In addition, the user can purchase the advertized commodity items fromthe web site 501. The web site 501 can be accessed from the gatewaydevice 11.

In the book mark search engine 10, the database 1 shown in FIG. 2corresponds to a broadcast contents database 1′. In addition, thedatabase 2 corresponds to a customer database 2′. The broadcast contentsdatabase 1′ stores a play list that contains broadcast time of programsthat are broadcast from the broadcasting station 12. The play list maycontain information about only commercials that are broadcast from thebroadcasting station 12.

The broadcast contents database 1′ also stores the URL of the web site501 of the advertizer 500 and the name of the advertizer 500 incorrelation with the play list. In addition, the broadcast contentsdatabase 1′ stores the names of the advertized commodity items incorrelation with the broadcast time. In other words, when the broadcastcontents database 1′ is searched with a key of a broadcast time, thename of the advertizer 500, the URL of the web site 501 of theadvertizer 500, and the name of the commodity item advertized in thecommercial that was broadcast at the broadcast time can be obtained assearch results.

As with the first embodiment of the present invention, according to thesecond embodiment, the customer database 2′ stores the terminal ID 27and the user data of each book marker 4. In addition, the customerdatabase 2′ can store information about user's favorites such as user'sfavorite radio stations and television stations registered correspondingto the terminal ID 27.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, aninterface 503 is disposed in the book mark search engine 10. Theinterface 503 allows predetermined information stored in the broadcastcontents database 1′ to be easily updated from the outside. For example,the advertizer 500 can update information about commercials in the playlist stored in the broadcast contents database 1′ through the interface503. Such information can be updated through the advertizing agent 502on behalf of the advertizer 500. The play list that represents contentsthat are broadcast by the broadcasting station 12 can be updated throughthe interface 503 by the broadcasting station 12.

The interface 503 can be structured with a database management systemhaving a predetermined filter that prohibits the broadcast contentsdatabase 1′ from being accessed from an authorized person. The interface503 is preferably provided with a GUI that allows an external authorizedclient to easily update the contents of the broadcast contents database1′.

In such a structure, when the user watched a commercial that he or shewants to know or in which he or she is interested, he or she operatesthe button 20 of the book marker 4 so as to store time information tothe memory 26 of the book marker 4. Thereafter, the user connects thebook marker 4 to the gateway device 11 so as to transmit timeinformation stored in the memory 26 from the book marker 4 to thegateway device 11 along with the terminal ID 27. The time informationand the terminal ID 27 are transmitted from the gateway device 11 to thebook mark search engine 10.

The book mark search engine 10 identifies the user using the transmittedterminal ID 27 and searches the broadcast contents database 1′corresponding to the time information. The name of the advertizer 500,the URL of the web site 501 of the advertizer 500, the name of thecommodity item of the commercial that was broadcast, and so forth aretransmitted to the gateway device 11.

The user can obtain necessary information about the commercial that wasbroadcast at the time represented by the time information stored in thebook marker 4 corresponding to the name of the advertizer 500, the URLof the web site 501 of the advertizer 500, and information such as thename of the commodity item that was broadcast in the commercial. Inaddition, since the user can know the URL of the web site 501 of theadvertizer 500, he or she can access the web site 501 using the gatewaydevice 11. Thus, the user can obtain detailed information about thecommodity item and information of other commodity items with which theadvertizer 500 deal.

When the web site 501 allows the user to purchase commodity items, he orshe can order a desired commodity item to the advertizer 500 using thegateway device 11.

When the customer database 2′ stores information about the user'sfavorites, the advertizer 500 can know favorites of the user whoaccessed the web site 501 by searching the customer database 2′. Thus,the advertizer 500 can provide the user with relevant information.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, when theuser presses the button 20 twice in a predetermined time period, thecategory flag represents a television broadcast. Thus, the book marksearch engine 10 can determine that time information stored is for atelevision broadcast. In other words, the searching system according tothe second embodiment and the musical piece data searching system can beaccomplished at a time.

For example, when a first operating portion that stores time informationfor a radio broadcast and a second operating portion that stores timeinformation for a television broadcast are disposed, a category flag fora musical piece and a category flag for a commercial are generated. Thebook mark search engine 10 can determine whether the user wants to knowinformation of a musical piece in a commercial or information of acommodity item advertized in a commercial corresponding to stored timeinformation.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, there maybe money flows among the advertizer 500, the broadcasting station 12,the book mark search engine 10, and the user. FIG. 29 shows money flowsthat may take place according to the second embodiment.

First of all, an advertisement broadcasting fee M1 takes place betweenthe broadcasting station 12 and the advertizer 500. The advertisementbroadcasting fee M1 moves from the advertizer 500 to the broadcastingstation 12. When the user accesses the web site 501 of the advertizer500 corresponding to information obtained by the book mark search engine10 and purchases a commodity item therefrom, a service fee M2 of thebook mark search engine 10 takes place. The service fee M2 moves fromthe advertizer 500 to the book mark search engine 10. Corresponding toinformation obtained from the book mark search engine 10, when the userjust accesses the web site 501, the service fee M2 may take place. Inaddition, when the user accesses the web site 501 with informationobtained from the book mark search engine 10 and purchases a commodityitem from the advertizer 500, the user pays a fee M3 for the commodityitem to the advertizer 500.

As was described above, according to the present invention, when abutton disposed on a book marker is pressed, information representingtime at which the button was pressed is stored to the book marker. Whenthe information representing time is transmitted to a book mark searchengine, information of contents that were being broadcast at the time ofwhich the button was pressed is obtained from the book mark searchengine. The book mark search engine has a first database that storesplay lists that correlatively contain contents of broadcasting stationsand broadcast time thereof and a second database that correlativelystores the contents and additional information thereof.

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, wheninformation representing time stored in the book marker is transmittedto the gateway device, the transmission of the information isgraphically displayed using a GUI. Thus, the user can visually know thatinformation stored in the book mark is being transmitted to the gatewaydevice. In addition, the user can visually enjoy the transmission stateof the information.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the user canlisten to a demonstration of a musical piece that he or she selectedfrom search results searched by the book mark search engine representingtime stored in the book marker using the gateway device. Thus, the usercan directly know contents that were being broadcast when he or shestored information to the book marker.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the user performsa predetermined operation for the gateway device corresponding to searchresults that the book mark search engine searched using informationrepresenting time stored in the book marker, the user can access a siteat which he or she can purchase the contents. Thus, the user canpurchase his or her favorite commodity item even if he or she knows onlyfragmental information thereof.

In addition, according to the present invention, as search results thatthe book mark search engine searched using information representing timestored in the book marker, contents that were being broadcast at thetime stored in the book marker and contents that were being broadcastearlier than those are obtained. Thus, the operation of the book markercan be performed with a proper margin.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the book marksearch engine is provided with an interface that allows informationstored in a database to be changed from the outside, the contents of thedatabase can be easily changed by an advertizer, an advertizing agent,and a broadcasting station. Thus, the contents can be flexibly changed.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the main body ofthe book marker is provided with a dedicated connector that allows datato be exchanged with the outside, information stored in the book markercan be transmitted without need to use an extra cable. Thus, even if agateway device installed in a retail store or a public facility is used,it is not necessary for the user to carry a connection cable.

In addition, according to the present invention, when one buttondisposed in the book marker is operated in different manners, aplurality of types of identification information are generated. Thus,the book marker can categorically store information representing time atwhich a musical piece was being broadcast from a radio broadcastingstation, information representing time at which a musical piece wasbeing broadcast from a television broadcasting station, and informationrepresenting time at which commodity information was being broadcastfrom a television broadcasting station.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, since the bookmarker is formed in a pendant shape, a wrist band shape, a key holdershape, or the like, the user can easily carry it. In addition, the bookmarker has an appearance suitable for a portable device.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with respectto a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,omissions, and additions in the form and detail thereof may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A searching system for searching contents thatwere broadcast, the searching system having an inputting unit, asearching unit, and a terminal unit, wherein the inputting unitcomprises: first storing means for storing information representing atleast time at which contents were broadcast corresponding to apredetermined operation; and first communicating means for transmittingthe information representing time stored in said storing means to anexternal unit, wherein the searching unit comprises: second storingmeans for correlatively storing information representing contents andbroadcast time thereof; and searching means for searching informationrepresenting the contents stored in said second storing meanscorresponding to the information representing time, and wherein theterminal unit comprises: second communicating means for receiving theinformation representing time transmitted from the inputting unitthrough said first communicating means; third communicating means fortransmitting the information representing time received by said secondcommunicating means and receiving search results transmitted from thesearching unit; and first displaying means for displaying theinformation representing time received by said second communicatingmeans and the search results by the searching unit.